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Monday, April 12, 2010

I have made good progress with my Hour Glass Quilt top, and have especially enjoyed the piecing. I absolutely love the Half Square Triangle block, it is such a simple and versatile block with countless different layouts making endlessly different quilts. Similarly, the Hour Glass block is an effective traditional block that is not difficult to piece.

The Hour Glass Block is really just an extension of the Half Square Triangle block in terms of piecing. What follows is a short tutorial showing you how I have pieced the Hour Glass Blocks in this quilt top.

With a 1/4 inch presser foot stitch on either side of the marked line from edge to edge. I do suggest you use a neutral thread (when using white solid fabric I suggest using white thread), having used blue thread just for better contrast in this image.

Step 3

Using a rotary cutter cut on the marked diagonal line. Up to this point this tutorial is no different to piecing Half Square Triangles.

Step 4

Without moving the fabrics on your cutting mat, swing your ruler or mat around to cut your fabric in the opposite diagonal direction. You now have four separate units each one made up of a solids triangle and a printed triangle.

Step 5

Press all seams towards the darker (printed) fabric for all four units and match correct set of triangles together to form two Hour Glass blocks (as above). If using all printed fabrics be consistent with the direction you press the seam allowances for all units ~ press all seams towards the same fabric.

Step 6

Sew units together matching the center seams, stitching from edge to edge. Press seams together in one direction.

Step 7

Now for a little housekeeping and to ensure that your blocks are all square, use a ruler with a diagonal line (match diagonal line on your ruler with the diagonal line on your block), and make sure you measure from the center intersecting point out (2 1/2" on your ruler) to square up your blocks. Trim back each block to 5 inches exactly.

You will now have two Hour Glass blocks, each measuring 5 inches square. Piece as many blocks as required. For my quilt top I have made 120* Hour Glass blocks pieced together in 12 rows of 10 blocks each. The quilt top measures 45.5 x 54.5 inches with borders still in the planning stages.

* To piece 120 Hour Glass blocks, cut 60 solid fabric squares and 60 printed fabric squares. I have used many differentLiberty fabrics as well as fabrics from the Little Folksrange by Anna Maria Horner. The solid contrast fabric I have used is Robert Kaufman Kona Cottonin White.

What's more, the Hour Glass block is ideal for using up all of your scrap fabric, as well as those charm packs you just could not resist stashing. Happy piecing!

I was just pulling some fabrics out for a new quilt and found some 'forgotten' charm packs from Moda. It's like finding a $50 bill tucked away in a little pocket in your bag! haha Anyway, your brilliant post has given me just the inspiration I need to use up the packs. Thank YOU! :D

Great tutorial (and I'm lusting after some of your fabric)! Just a suggestion for step 7 - when squaring up to 5", make sure you measure from the center intersecting point out (2 1/2" on your ruler). You do that in the photo, of course, but it's a good reminder for someone who hasn't made these blocks before.

Thanks for the cute quilt idea! I have a bunch of 30s repros that would look fabulous with the white background.

One thing I learned about an hourglass block that might make it even a little more simple is in Step 4, cut between your sewn lines. Then press the seams to the dark sides. Then face right sides together, opposite colors facing and draw quarter inch sewing lines again. Cut in between sewn lines and press and trim.

Thank you so much again for the cute idea! I love, love that white background!

Thanks for the tutorial, it's very easy to follow. I've been trying to cut back on my number of works in progress, but you make it really hard! I love hourglass quilts too and have been wanting to make one for years! And I have lots of charm squares just ready to go...

I currently have a charm pack or two that I think I will make into these versitle blocks. I am going on a business trip soon and need to take some projects to sew in the hotel room. Great for chain piecing. Can't wait!

I go to your blog every day just for inspiration. The color combos you use are always so invigorating and I'm working through scraps right now and am looking forward to trying your hst tutorial. Thanks so much. ...Orlando, FL

So excited. My best friend just had her third baby yesterday (Niamh) and I'm making this for her. I've got a natural coloured cotton for the solid and a range of pinks, yellows and sage greens from my stash. I've cut out my squares and tomorrow, the dodgy bulging disc back dependent, I will get to sewing them together. Can't wait!

Last year I made my very first quilt - HSTs - without knowing what I was doing. I ended up making three last year, so I learned a lot. My first one for this year (I have four others planned) is a donation quilt for a boys home. This tutorial helped make the right-sized blocks for half the quilt, and I wanted you to know how much I appreciated this tutorial. Now to find a good one on the alternating blocks!!

Hi- I'm new to quilting bur already addicted. Love this pattern & your easy to follow tutorial. If I start with 5" squares from a charm pack (instead of starting with 6" squares) then...what size do I square up/trim them to in Step 7? Thanks for helping out a "newbie". Dee